FUNERAL OF A VETERAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5388, 4 July 1878, Page 3

FUNERAL OF A VETERAN.

(From the Neu> Zealand Herald 24th June.) Donald McKenzie, who, as a man, soldier and Freemason, was one of the oldest in the colony, expired on Friday, June 14, at bis residence, Onebxinga. Amongst his last wishes was that he should be buried with Masonic honors. The ■ request was convoyed through . the officers of Lodge Manukau, and of course It was complied with. The deceased was born In the year 1800, and consequently at the time of his death was 78 years of age. His father was a soldier in the 42nd Highlanders (the famous “ Black Watch’*), and young McKenzie on the discharge of his father, joined the regiment when 19 years of age, and in November, 1819, he was initiated a Freemason in the 42nd Highlanders* Lodge, hailing under the Grand Lodge of Scotland. This lodge has since become dormant. Mr. McKenzie served with the regiment in which he was born,during the trying times of 1815, when the famous battle of Waterloo was won and lost. He did not take an active part in that famous fight and victory, hut he was on the scene the preceding day, and was under fire. Ho was ' then connected with the baggage guard, which- was several times attacked by the French troopi. He was amongst .the oldest settlers in the Pensioners* settlement of Onehunga. On the opening of ,X»odga Manukau, S.C., of Onehnnga, he resumed his connection with Freemasonry, and, as already stated, one of his latest wishes was that he should be recognised as a Mason, with the customary mortuary ceremonials. The Masonic Brethren responded in a most fraternal spirit. Not only did Lodge Manukau muster in full strength on Sunday, bub every lodge in Auckland, including Lodge Remuera, was fully represented by officers and brethren, and-at least 150 members the craft took part in the procession. Captain Burns, of the Artillery Company, kindly placed the excellent band of his corps at the disposal of the parade, as a recognition of the military claims of the veteran, and they added largely to the impressiveness of the solemn cortege. The Lodge Manukau was opened, and raised to the third degree, after which the order of procession was formed in the lodge. Brother M. Niccol, R.W.M., presided, and Brother Hendry ably officiated as -Marshal. The procession, headed by the band, playing appropriate solemn selections, marched through the main stdeet of Onehunga and up v fJho by-street to the late residence of the deceased. Here the precession opened and the officers came to the front, and after the coffin containing the deceased was taken out, the line of march was resumed to St. Peter’s cemetery, the baud playing the u Dead March in Saul** and other appropriate solemn tunes. The son and grandchildren of deceased followed the coffin in the capacity of chief mourners. At the entrance to the cemetery the procession again opened out and the coffin was carried up the centre, where it was met by the Rev. Mr. Tomlinson, incumbent of St. Peter’s. The remains were taken into the church, where the portion of the burial service of the Church of England appointed to he read in churches was read by the rev. gentleman. Upon the removal of the coffin to the grave the brethren formed a cordon round it, while the Rev. Mr. Tomlinson concluded the ritual, consigning the- body of the deceased to the earth, in the sure and certain hope of a resurrection. The R.W.M. then, , in a feeling and impressive manner, gave the solemn and impressive address from the Masonic ritual, after which the brethren cast their, acacia sprigs into the open grave, and gave the grand honors of the Order. There was an immense concourse of people present during the ceremony, probably the largest that was ever collected on such an occasion in Onehunga. The residents were greatly grati-, fied at the marked, respect paid to their old neighbor. The old pensioners and their wives listened with mingled feelings to the solemn strains of the **Dead March” from the band, the Bounds no doubt" bringing back nuny strange recollections to their breasts, and while the. streets were lined with the young and healthy, the aged couples looking wistfully on and after the procession from their - cottage doors. At the conclusion of the burial service, the brethren marohed back to the lodge-room, where the lodge was duly closed, and the visiting brethren took their departure . .for home, some by train and others by cabs. ; The .large attendance, in the face of such in- • clement and unpromising weather, was highly creditable to the brethren of the craft.